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Do Your Kids Think Saving Energy Is Important? Enter Contest by May 31.

Team ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's program to help kids and families understand why saving energy is important, has launched a contest to encourage kids to tell us in their own worlds why energy efficiency makes a difference.

To enter, all kids need to do is share their stories on the Team ENERGY STAR web page. The "story" can be told in words, pictures, video, slides, animation, drawings...the sky's (almost) the limit! The deadline for entering is May 31.

EPA and ENERGY STAR will recognize those who tell the best, most inspiring stories with a variety of energy-efficient electronic prizes from LG, including:

·      Smart phones

·      Feature phones

·      27 inch LED televisions

·      Computer monitors

·      MP3 Docking Stations

 PLUS: YOUR CHILD'S NAME IN LIGHTS

Winners’ names and photos will be broadcast on LG’s billboard in New York's Times Square in conjunction with a Twitter Party on June 7, #TeamENERGYSTAR.

Go to the Team ENERGY STAR website now to get more details and encourage your kids to share their story! (http://www.energystar.gov/team)

Want more background on Team ENERGY STAR and EPIC, this summer's blockbuster eco animated feature film? Here you go!

Saving Energy is Easy & Fun With the Help of Team ENERGY STAR

  What does it take to get kids to save energy? Even if it’s just a simple reminder to turn off the lights, that message can get old after awhile – which is why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting kids and families to join Team ENERGY STAR. Team ENERGY STAR makes saving energy fun for kids while giving parents free resources they can use to explain why energy efficiency needs to be a priority at home. The program is particularly unique because it empowers kids to help protect the climate and our air through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions.

 It also provides them an outlet for sharing their passion for preserving our environment. This year ENERGY STAR has partnered with the parents group PTO Today and LG Electronics to share Team ENERGY STAR with kids across the country. PTO Today has even brought in the heroic characters from a new summer animated eco feature film, EPIC, which is sure to excite kids of all ages. The movie, voiced by Amanda Seyfried, Beyonce Knowles, Colin Ferrel, and other celebrities you'll recognize, features a young girl who finds herself transported to a beautiful natural world, a world she needs to protect. 

 Kids who sign up for Team ENERGY STAR and share their story through www.energystar.gov/team will be showcased in social media by EPA. They can also enter PTO Today’s contest  for best story. Winners will receive ENERGY STAR certified LG electronics, including cell phones, TVs and MP3 docking stations. Plus, they’ll get their name and photo up in lights on LG’s Times Square billboard in New York City.

 Team ENERGY STAR’s summer outreach has inspired dozens of moms and families to get their kids involved, as demonstrated by this blogging carnival, written mostly by moms who are concerned about the health and climate impacts using energy has on our families and communities -- and who believe we all can do something to make a difference.

YOU + YOUR KIDS = HEROES!

 Harriet of Climate Mama writes, “As summer approaches and we look forward to enjoying family activities like camping, hiking, walks on the beach, fishing, swimming and biking – all of which nature helps make more magnificent – our families are also confronted by new and daunting challenges that nature is angrily throwing our way: extreme weather, floods, droughts, forest fires, allergies on “steroids,” and super storms. What’s making these weather events worse and how can we “fight back” against these new challenges? Where and who are the heroes that will help us?” Harriet asks. The answer is not Iron Man or the Avengers, but “you and your kids,” along with Mary Katherine, the young girl who saves the day in EPIC, the eco animated film she’ll definitely be taking her kids to see this summer.

Shane of Environmental Booty sees the potential for her kids to be heroes, too. “Team ENERGY STAR puts the power in kids' hands to help protect the climate through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions and provides them an outlet for sharing their passion for preserving our environment,” she writes.

 Last year, Shane’s daughter won the ENERGY STAR challenge, and she is encouraging kids this year to enter the contest, too. “The first 200 families to submit an energy-saving story will receive 2 tickets each to see EPIC, courtesy of Fox. Kids will also get the chance to earn some great prizes from LG Electronics USA and maybe even see their name in lights in Times Square.” Sounds like fun!

It IS fun, says Dominique at My Work at Home World, which is why this initiative is so successful. "Ever wondered how to get your kids involved in saving energy AND the environment? ENERGY STAR has a simple and FUN answer! Team ENERGY STAR! Team ENERGY STAR makes learning about how to save energy fun and can help SAVE THE WORLD! What kid (or parent?) doesn't want to be a hero?"

SUMMERTIME IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GET STARTED

 Allyson at EcoNews Network agrees that summer is the perfect time to take energy efficiency seriously. It’s “the season where energy consumption skyrockets,” she notes.  “That’s why it’s important to get our kids to hop on the energy efficiency bandwagon. They can finally do something eco-friendly, especially while at home on their summer breaks.”

With the average home giving off more than 20,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year and homes spending more than $2,000 per year on energy bills, she says, “our children should know how and why it’s important to save energy. Kids might think saving energy is boring, but there’s a way to make it fun, and that’s where Team ENERGY STAR comes in handy.”

Linda of Asian Mommy agrees. “Team ENERGY STAR is a great way to inspire kids and families to save energy. I hope all Asian Mommy readers will visit the website and join.”

 Dorinda at Raising Green Richmond Kids is another mom who appreciates that “Summertime is a great time of year to talk to your children about energy conservation as energy use goes through the roof.   At our home our children know about the little things they can do to help save energy around our house.  We have talked about turning off the lights and TV when leaving a room, dressing warmly so we can keep the thermostat down a degree or two.” ENERGY STAR makes it easier to help kids understand how they make a difference.

Paige at Spit That Out the Book recalls that “Every summer when the air conditioners in my neighborhood go into full blast mode, we experience frequent power outages. It’s amazing how much energy it takes to power just one street! That’s why it’s important to consider the small steps of energy saving and upgrading broken appliances with ENERGY STAR certified products.” She also appreciates that “Team ENERGY STAR empowers kids to help protect the climate through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions and provides them an outlet for sharing their passion for preserving our environment.”

I raise a red flag over at Moms Clean Air Force. "Summer brings many great experiences and memories for families—barbecues, swimming, hot nights and summer movies. It also brings a familiar and unpleasant sight for many communities—a smoggy skyline and poor air quality that can make it tough for kids to breathe," I report. "Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert on smog to be able to explain that one way to clear the air is by shifting to cleaner sources of energy like solar and wind. It’s even easier to explain that using energy more efficiently – using less energy to do the same job – is something that everyone can do at home. Plus, using energy more efficiently helps reduce the gases that cause climate change."

 Calley at The Eco Chick is worried about extreme weather events. “With summer approaching quickly, it’s time to start thinking about hurricane season again in Florida; except Florida isn’t the only place where hurricanes can strike.  Our biggest fear when moving to Tampa was of hurricanes and having to run from them each year.  What we realized is that these storms can strike anywhere and are likely to cause more damage to those areas that are not prepared.  Scientists have been indicating that climate change may be to blame for increased hurricane strength, making them even more dangerous.  With Hurricane Sandy devastating areas of New York it makes me wonder what this year’s hurricane season will look like.” Calley offers “7 Things You Can Do to Save Energy,” including joining Team ENERGY STAR.

 Katy at Non-Toxic Kids also worries that “the Earth’s climate is changing in ways that can have serious consequences for public health. Climate change will likely increase the number of people suffering from illness and injury due to more pollution, extreme heat, floods, storms, droughts and fires as well as allergies and infectious disease. The elderly, the very young, the disabled, and the poor alone are especially vulnerable, as are people with heart disease or asthma. Climate change is also expected to cause more severe allergy symptoms because a warmer climate promotes the growth of molds, weeds, grasses and trees that cause allergic reactions.”

THE BENEFITS OF SAVING ENERGY THE ENERGY STAR WAY

  Lisa from Condo Blues knows first hand that saving energy saves money. “In 2008, I did a DIY home energy audit using the energy audit tool on the Energy Star web site. The tool suggested a low and a high energy savings goal. My husband and I decided to try reducing our energy use by the high goal, 20%, as a year long project.” That sounds ambitious right? Even so, says Lisa, we reduced our home energy use by 32%. We beat our goal and have been happily averaging 15 Kilowatts of electricity a day ever since.” Why was Lisa so successful? She says it’s because she didn’t try to tackle energy efficiency alone. “It was a family effort,” she reports, like the kind ENERGY STAR promotes, and it made all the difference.

 Claire at EcoFriendly Link backs up Lisa’s personal findings with some amazing national statistics. “In 2012, ordinary Americans reduced their utility bills by a staggering $24 billion” by being energy efficient, she says. When you save energy, “you use less power. So you generate less pollution and improve air quality. Climate change threatens human health, society and ecosystems…and is likely to make allergies even worse.” What she likes about ENERGY STAR is that “you don’t need to sacrifice features, style or comfort,” which is why she is referring her readers to ENERGY STAR for ideas on how to save energy and find energy-efficient appliances.”

Jennifer at The Smart Mama is on a whole-household quest to save energy. She's in the middle of a major remodel, and figures buying ENERGY STAR appliances is the smart thing to do (well, after all, she is "the smart mama!"). "Most of our energy - about 70% of the electricity we use - comes from power plants burning fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas emission - the gases that contribute to climate change." That alone would be reason enough to get on the ENERGY STAR bandwagon. But Jennifer goes on to note that "burning fossil fuels spews out a host of chemicals that cause severe health concerns for those living near and far from the power plants...Much of the mercury contaminating our seafood is a result of mercury released from fossil fuel burning power plants. We are all part of this amazing interconnected web, and our personal choices do matter."

Clay and I teamed up at Ways 2 Go Green to sound a hopeful note. We write, "It's never too early to talk to your kids about saving energy." And the sooner the better! "The lights we use, the electronics we charge, and heating and cooling systems we turn on and off all have an impact and contribute climate change. That's why it's so important to instill energy efficient habits in kids from an early age, and teach an awareness of the impact our energy use has on the environment."

Meanwhile, Micaela at Mindful Momma reports that her 8-yr-old son Liam is taking the mission to save energy to heart. He's also trying to save polar bears, animals whose habitat is literally out from under their feet due to the impact climate change is having in the Arctic. "I've talked with him about all the little things he can do to reduce his personal contribution to climate change (and try to stop the polar ice from melting). Things like turning off the lights when he leaves the room, shutting the refrigerator door quickly and biking to soccer practice instead of driving. Even though individual actions like that may seem tiny, I think it's important to make sure kids realize that they do play a part in protecting the climate."

SAVING ENERGY PROTECTS OUR HEALTH

Anne at Flour Sack Mama sounds the alarm on health concerns related to the energy we use. “Anyone out there not know what an inhaler is?  Does someone in your family use one or do you know of a young child who must tote one around for after-school activities?  It's become commonplace, hasn't it?”

 Anne then asks, “Would you like to be part of an effort to clean up whatever's in the air that could be making children sick?  You can start today by simply conserving energy.  Little habits like teaching children to turn off the light switch when they leave the room, or home maintenance efforts like installing programmable thermostats and picking ENERGY STAR certified appliances -- can all save your family money while helping clean up America's energy conundrum.  We all want a comfortable lifestyle, don't we?  None of us intended for our comfortable lifestyle to make children or the planet sick, did we?” 

 Sommer of Green and Clean Mom acknowledges that “It is hard for (my) children to completely understand that the majority of electricity comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels. They cannot see the power plants to understand this but I explain to them that when we burn the fossil fuels this causes greenhouse gas emissions – which affect the environment. I try to explain that when we don’t have to use as much energy we are helping to not burn as much fossil fuel and this not only saves mom and dad money but means that there are less greenhouse gas emissions and that is good for the environment.” 

 Why Team ENERGY STAR? Why EPIC?

Amity at Green Child Magazine recommends Team ENERGY STAR as a “fun way to get your kids involved in an environment-saving activity.”  “Join Team ENERGY STAR to teach children about the importance of saving energy and stopping climate change using easy, money-saving actions!”

 Like many of the other moms, Leigh at Green 4 U is looking forward to taking her daughter to see EPIC. “Kids need good role models but kids also love movies and entertainment. There are so many movies out there about princesses and other excessive things; it is great to see a movie that teaches children about environmental stewardship.”

 Leigh is also excited about the contests ENERGY STAR offers – because that’s how she herself got involved. “Winning a recycling poster contest was one of the first steps in my green journey. I love the idea of having kids think about energy conservation and why it is important. If you have kids no matter what age, sit down with them and talk about energy conservation, talk about what you can do as a family, let them research things you can do as a family to reduce your energy consumption and let them help implement it in the house. Encourage your kids to submit an entry to the ENERGY STAR contest. Even if they do not win, the excitement of entering and the conversation you will have together around the entry is worth it.”

Sian at That's Amasian appreciates the helpful resources Team ENERGY STAR provides to parents (like her!). "Why? It's the question that plagues all parents of toddlers and preschoolers," she notes. "Kids are endlessly curious about  literally everything under the sun and beyond. When we don't have the answers, especially on important issues that affect us all, and that we all can act on (ahem, climate change), I'm grateful for resources for parents, like Team ENERGY STAR. It's an education program that motivates kids and their parents to make energy conservation a fun, family activity. And, it's created by the U.S. EPA so you know that it's backed by accurate information and honest intentions."

Lori at GroovyGreenLivin makes it clear why programs like Team ENERGY STAR matter. "Burning fossil fuels causes greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change – a real and urgent challenge affecting people and the environment worldwide. Using energy-efficient products and practices reduces the amount of carbon pollution added to the atmosphere and can lessen the effects of climate change.” In 2012 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 50 million cars — all while saving $24 billion on their utility bills.” Those are some pretty impressive stats.

 Mary Clare of In Women We Trust asks a key question: “Who is setting the direction of our energy program?” Mary’s hope is that, through efforts like Team ENERGY STAR, America’s youth will become educated enough about the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy to put our country and the world on a clean energy course. “The EPIC ENERGY STAR program provides posters and online/offline games to give kids tangible things to do and learn how to use less energy, thereby lowering family monthly bills. Once energy consumption is lower, then it’s far easier to replace our national energy needs with safe, clean, and renewable energy.”

 Jenn at MNN.com applauds the message behind the EPIC movie that "everyone can make a difference for the planet." “I like that motto,” she says.  “Even at the tender young ages of 10 and 7, my girls have already seen how great our local playground looks after a clean-up, or how the little efforts we make at home to cut energy use can add up to big savings at the end of the month.” Jenn hopes her readers will sign the EPIC pledge and share their stories for how they plan to protect the planet.

 Tiffany at Nature Moms declares that, “For me it is all about the story. Movies transport me to another world and I get to live someone else’s exciting, dangerous, and inspiring life for a couple hours. I love my own life too, don’t get me wrong, but ever since I was a kid I have just loved living in the fantasy worlds created in books and movies. I have already started my mental list of movies that I absolutely must see this summer and at the tippy top is the animated eco film called EPIC…It looks to be the ultimate in story, fantasy, and fun while also having a hugely important message about the environment and stewardship. We have to get messages like this across to kids in a way that really reaches them and resonates with them. It is getting harder to do with all the distractions that abound today but I think this movie will accomplish it. If I can pair my love of movies with my passion for environmentalism AND take my kids along for the ride…well, sign me up for opening day!”

Nikki at Modern Eco Life is looking forward to the movie, too. EPIC...helps teach kids an important environmental lesson: "protecting the planet is cool," she writes. "The 3D movie tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good and the forces of evil. When a teenage girl gets magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a heroic team to save their world...and ours." Like Nikki says: Cool!

 Kim at The Soulicious Life remembers that, “When it comes to living a more eco-friendly existence, simple energy-saving practices were some of the first habits I adopted. To be honest, it goes way back to childhood when my mother - no doubt trying to control the cost of utility bills - was constantly on us to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights. Now, I instill those same simple practices in (my child). After all molding the next generation’s little brains around energy-saving techniques is never easier than it will be now!”

 JOIN TEAM ENERGY STAR TODAY

Erin at Healthy Home Magazine reminds us all that "Team ENERGY STAR makes it easy and enjoyable for the whole family to save energy and money while they do their part to protect the climate. With help from ENERGY STAR and the heroic team from the upcoming filml, EPIC, everyone can make a difference for the planet."  

Lindsay at Crunchy Saving concurs, but has an additional reason to join up. "As a homeschooling parent, I am always looking for fun ways to teach my children. I love to use a combination of things such as hands-on learning, interactive learning, as well as traditional school settings. I check out new websites for the kids all the time. I loved the Team ENERGY STAR web page...we received some great educational materials about saving energy." Why bother with the suggested activities? "They're fun!" says Lindsay.

Urges Bri at Eco Baby Mama Drama, "Parents, please take this opportunity to not only educate your children about our duty to take care of the planet and be responsible but to also show them that saving energy is the right choice to make for everyone everyday and can be fun too! Encourage your children to share what they have learned with their friends and set a good example through their actions and be a proud member of Team Energy Star! Together we can all make this effort EPIC!"
 

I hope you'll join Team ENERGY STAR today. To sign up, head over to the Team Energy Star page to download the pledge and pick up other useful resources like the 'Go Green Night Games' or the Team Energy Star Action Kit.  I hope you’ll inspire your child to share a story about why saving energy is important, too.

On Twitter? Join Team ENERGYSTAR June 7, 2013 for a lively Twitter party to share information and ideas on how to get kids, in particular, involved in saving energy. EPA will also announce the winners of the story competition during the party. Use Hashtag #TeamENERGYSTAR to join the fun!

FULL DISCLOSURE:
I am writing about Team ENERGY STAR because I support the program and because I believe it is important to educate the public about energy efficiency and climate change. I am thrilled to also be working on contract to help educate the public about energy efficiency and Team ENERGY STAR.

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Mother's Day: Shopping Spree or Shopping Shift?

Mother's Day has become a gigantic shopping event. Next to Christmas and Valentine's Day, consumers spend more money for Mother's Day than they do for any other holiday in the year. This year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Mother's Day survey, Americans will spend $20.7 billion! That amounts to an average of almost $170 per mom, an 11% increase over last year.

 As a mom myself, I love the attention I get on Mother's Day. Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by family, showered with love, and coddled with breakfast in bed, a luxurious morning just reading the paper, and no rushing around to do chores?

But as the founder of Big Green Purse, where I advocate using consumer clout to change the world, I consider Mother's Day a tremendous opportunity - not to buy a lot of stuff, but to take a stand against excessive consumerism and in favor of the products and services that offer the greatest environmental benefit.

DOES YOUR MOM REALLY NEED MORE STUFF?

One of the most powerful and eco ways to use your money is to keep it in your purse or pocket! Most people have enough "stuff" - in fact, many of us are so overwhelmed by clutter that it adds to the stress of managing our households when we get more things we have to find a place for.

Years ago, when our two children were still toddlers, we established a "no gifts on Mother's Day" rule (we do the same thing on Father's Day). I truly appreciate my kids' desire to treat me special on Mother's Day, but for me that means that we have brunch or dinner together, maybe go for a hike or have some other family outing, and tell funny stories about my most memorable/ridiculous "mom moments." When my son and daughter were in elementary and middle school, Mother's Day was also a "no bickering" day. There was no better gift than the 24 conflict-free hours they gave me that one day of the year!

Now that my "kids" are young adults (seen above, with me in the middle in case you can't tell who the 20 somethings are!), we continue to enjoy this same tradition (well, minus the "no bickering" rule, since they don't bicker much any more). We will have a relaxing day, enjoy dinner together, and tell "mom  stories." Simple, sweet, and definitely not stressful. I can't imagine anything better.

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE A GIFT, CHOOSE THE GREENEST OPTION

Still, there are millions of people who can't NOT give a gift on Mother's Day. And there are plenty of moms who want to receive an actual present. According to the same National Retail Federation survey, two of the most common gifts given this Sunday will be electronics, and flowers.

ELECTRONICS

 If you're giving electronics, check this valuable Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics before you buy. The Guide evaluates leading consumer electronics companies based on their commitment and progress in three environmental areas: Energy and Climate, Greener Products, and Sustainable Operations. The Guide scores companies on overall policies and practices - not on specific products - to provide consumers with a snapshot of the sustainability of the largest electronics companies, looking at the way companies use (or phase out) toxic chemicals, save energy, promote recycling, and help reduce climate change.The Guide does not endorse one company over another.

The most recent Guide was published in November 2012. The Indian company Wipro ranks highest in all categories; the way this business operates provides a useful point of comparison to the other companies Greenpeace evaluated. Wipro may not be easily available at Best Buy or other stores where you shop - but HP, the next highest ranking manufacturer, is.

Of course, you don't necessarily have to buy new. "The most sustainable devices are the ones you don't actually buy," notes Greenpeace. "Work to extend the life of your existing electronic gadgets, buy used products, and purchase what you truly need."

Recycle as part of your present to Mom

 Whether you buy new or used, recycle Mom's old equipment as part of your present to her. Discarded electronics are the fastest growing segment of the waste stream, but they add more than metal trash to the garbage. Most electronics contain circuits made from heavy metals that can contaminate the groundwater and soil. You can recycle pretty much any phone, tablet, monitor, hard drive, laptop, and fax machine at Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot.

For other convenient recycling options, this list will make it easy for you.

FLOWERS

I'm a sucker for beautiful bouquets of cut flowers. But I've learned to value flowers that are locally grown and seasonal over blooms that have been imported from abroad. Why?

Seventy percent of U.S. flowers are imported from Latin America, where growers in Columbia, Ecuador and other countries use pesticides that have long been banned in the U.S. A 2002 survey of 8,000 Colombian flower workers revealed exposure to 25 carcinogenic or highly toxic pesticides that are not used in the United States.

Often,  women flower growers suffer impaired vision, asthma, and miscarriage or give birth to babies marked by lower birth weights and higher blood pressure. Thirty-five out of 72 Ecuadoran children tested by the Harvard School of Public Health experienced organophosphate pesticides in the womb while their mothers grew flowers. These children later suffered both higher blood pressure and poorer spatial ability than kids who escaped prenatal exposures. Overall, according to a study by the International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF), two-thirds of Colombian and Ecuadorian flower workers suffer work-related health problems ranging from impaired vision and neurological problems Some women give birth to stillborn infants, or see their children die within a month after birth.

Meanwhile, the International Labor Organization estimates that 20 percent of flower workers in Ecuador are children, who are more vulnerable to chemical hazards than adults because their immune systems and vital organs are still immature. According to Environmental News Network, imported roses can contain as much as 50 times the amount of pesticides that are legally allowed on the food we eat. The U.S. requires imported flowers to be bug-free, but unlike edible fruits and vegetables they are not tested for chemical residues. So even if you’re not growing these flowers yourselves, you may still be bringing the chemicals used on them into your home.

If you have the option, buy flowers that are locally grown by American farmers who must obey U.S. regulations about pesticide use and application.

If you prefer to order flowers online, shop at Organic Bouquet, whose EcoBloom Certified roses will also be delivered with free bars of Endangered Species chocolate.

California Organic Flowers offers another online option. Stores like Whole Foods, food coops, natural food stores, and conventional grocery stores that have made a commitment to going green may also carry organically grown buds. If you don't see them, ask for them.

DIY

You can also make a beautiful bouquet to give to Mom yourself. Even if the flowers haven't started blooming in your part of the country yet, take a pair of clippers out to the yard and snip off a variety of different kinds of leaves. Mix light and dark greens, oval leaves with those that are spiky, long fronds with shorter sprouts. Place them in a tall vase, if you have it, or wrap a juice bottle with a decorative towel and ribbon to make a festive container.

THREE LITTLE WORDS

Regardless of what you give, tell your Mom you love her. All else pales compared to the gift of telling Mom exactly what she wants to hear!

Happy Mother's Day.

 

 

 

 

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Is Glade Air Freshener Bad for Babies?

"Cleaning product companies aren’t required to disclose the ingredients they use in their products, and what they’re keeping secret from you could be hazardous to your health," reports Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), the respected non-profit research group that investigates toxic chemicals in the common household cleansers we use.

  In their "Dirty Secrets" study, WVE commissioned an independent laboratory to test twenty popular cleaning products for hidden toxic chemicals from five top companies: Clorox, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, SC Johnson and Son, and Sunshine Makers (Simple Green). WVE found reproductive toxins, carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and allergens -- none of which were listed on the product label. 

"Consumers deserve to know what chemicals they are being exposed to, so that they can easily avoid products that may cause allergic reactions or serious long-term health impacts like cancer, birth defects, or pregnancy complications," WVE declares - and I agree. That's why I support WVE's effort to get Congress to pass new federal legislation that requires cleaning product manufacturers to disclose all the ingredients they use in their products directly on the product label.

I also support WVE's effort to persuade companies like Glade to list ALL ingredients in their product on their label. You may think Glade helps clear the air. According to WVE's research, here's actually what Glade is putting into the air:

Toxic Chemicals Found in Glade (according to WVE research)

 (These are just a few of the hundreds of fragrance chemicals that may be part of a Glade fragrance)

Synthetic musks. Test results in WVE’s 2011 Dirty Secrets report found one of these toxic chemicals hiding out in Glade. Musks are:

• persistent (they don’t break down in the environment)

• bioaccumulative (they build up in our bodies)

• potential hormone disruptors

• may break down the body’s defenses against other toxic exposures

• showing up in our blood and breast milk

Allergens. Test results in WVE’s 2011 Dirty Secrets report also found several allergens in Glade products. Tens of millions of people are sensitized to these chemicals, which cause reactions that range from red bumps, itchiness and wheezing to severe breathing problems.

What Can You Do?

Join Team ENERGY STAR & Get Ready for This Summer's Eco Block-Buster

 Team ENERGY STAR is on a simple but extremely important mission: encourage kids and families to save energy at home. How? By empowering them to protect the climate and reduce air pollution through easy-to-implement, money-saving actions.

    Team ENERGY STAR works in large part because it makes saving energy easy and fun. Check out www.energystar.gov/team and you’ll see what I mean. Kids and their parents can download interactive materials, including a comprehensive Action Kit and the ENERGY STAR Home Check-Up list. Kids are also encouraged to share their energy-saving stories on energystar.gov/team. If they do, they’ll become eligible to win all kinds of great energy-saving electronics that reinforce the message that saving energy can change the world.

CHANGE THE WORLD? REALLY?

Yes! In fact, that “change the world” part is important. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2012 alone, consumers and businesses, with the help of ENERGY STAR, reduced utility bills by $24 billion and prevented 242 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Talk about impact! 

IT'S FUN, TOO. 

Now for the fun part. This summer, EPA is teaming up with PTO Today (a national nonprofit that helps independent parent-teacher organizations) to reach more kids than ever before. PTO Today is working with the makers of the new eco-animated film EPIC, and bringing in the heroic characters of the film to make Team ENERGY STAR more fun than ever.

The film stars Steven Tyler, Colin Ferrell, Beyonce Knowles and Amanda Seyfried, a line-up that will surely excite the whole family. By joining the team kids will get the chance to earn cool prizes courtesy of PTO Today, LG Electronics USA and 20^th Century Fox. The first 200 families to submit an energy-saving story will receive 2 tickets each to see EPIC, courtesy of Fox. Kids will also get the chance to earn some great prizes from LG Electronics USA and maybe even see their name in lights in Times Square. All the kids have to do issig up at energystar.gov/team and click on “Submit your energy-saving success story.’ Bloggers who blog about this could end up at the New York City red carpet premiere of EPIC.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Ecocentric Mom Box: Put on Your Best Face (Mask)

An EcoCentric Mom Box is both dependable and surprising. Dependable because you can count on the sample products it contains to be non-toxic, low impact, and a great bargain. Surprising because every box introduces a whole host of healthy personal care products, shampoos, soaps, and even foods that you might have no idea existed. I like the box because it constantly gives me fresh ideas for ways I can practice my Big Green Purse commitment and shift my spending to greener goods to protect myself, my family, and my community.

  This month’s box is no exception. Here’s a rundown of the dependably surprising items I found. (NOTE: If you’d like to receive your own Ecocentric Mom box every month, you can sign up here. Big Green Purse readers get a 10% discount on any subscription plan you choose.  Be sure to enter code ECOMOM10 at checkout.)

7^th Heaven 100% Natural Face Mask – This mask uses Moroccan Clay infused with fresh fragrances of apricot and orange to hydrate, cleanse and tone skin.  After you use it, moisturize with…

Natures Gate Rice Bran Facial Moisturizer – This light lotion smooths on easily and leaves no greasy film behind.  It complements perfectly the…

Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, and Acai Body Wash – Also made by Nature’s Gate, all these products combine botanical, herbal and floral ingredients to create personal care products you’ll feel good using, even more so if you brew a cup of …

Why Are You Grateful for Earth Day? Please Share.

It's Earth Day today, a day when as many as a billion people around the world will be taking notice.   Some will be celebrating what they love about the world we live in with walks in the woods, picnics with families and friends, neighborhood clean-ups, poetry readings, and just some quiet time outside. Others will be sounding the alarm about threats that could undermine this one earth on which we all live, pointing to climate change, air and water pollution, deforestation, toxic chemicals, and more.

 For me, Earth Day is a time to reflect on what I am grateful to Mother Nature for. Here's my "short list."

* I'm grateful for the abundance of inspiring flowers and trees that add beauty to the world.

* I'm grateful for the planet's soul-expanding wild places and the chance they provide to experience Nature in the raw.

* I'm grateful to the Sun and the vital solar energy it sends down to Earth each and every day (now, if only we would take advantage of it!).

* I'm grateful that a planet called "Earth" is actually covered with so much water. We could not survive without it.

* I'm grateful for the community of friends I have and with whom I share a passion for hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors.

Compost: Crack for the Garden

Compost is crack for the garden.

 When you add it to your soil, it makes the earthworms shimmy, the bugs boogie, and plants positively pop.

(From what I've read, crack has a similar effect on the people who use it; let me say for the record that I've never tried it!)

Just as good, compost strengthens your soil and reduces your need to use synthetic fertilizers or toxic pesticides. If you're NOT using compost, why are you bothering to garden at all? Really!

WHAT EXACTLY IS COMPOST?

Composting is Nature's way of turning waste into organic gold.

• Through good old-fashioned biological processes, composting converts kitchen scraps, yard waste, and other organic matter into rich and crumbly, soil-like material that attracts healthy worms, fights disease and improves the fertility of the soil.

WHY IS COMPOSTING SO GREAT?

• Composting saves money by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and toxic chemicals.
  
• Composting could save communities money, too. Yard trimmings and food waste together constitute 23 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. That's a lot of garbage to send to landfills when it could become useful and environmentally beneficial compost instead!

  I compost fruit and veggie kitchen scraps in my backyard. My town picks up our fallen leaves every autumn, lets them biodegrade at a municipal site, and delivers them back to us in the spring to use as mulch on our gardens and around our bushes and trees. You can also buy ready-made compost at most hardware stores and garden centers, or online at places like Amazon (we sell some in our store here). NOTE: If you buy compost, make sure it has been made from certified organic plant sources.

 YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN COMPOST

You can make compost from kitchen waste, debris from your lawn and garden, or both. You can either build your own compost pile, or buy a compost tumbler or bin. You can even get composting bags to keep on your back porch, deck or patio.

Easy #EarthDay Action: Go Paperless

I usually don't like info graphics but this one makes it very clear why it's important to use less paper. Thought many of us have already cut back on the amount of junk mail we receive and documents we print, here are five resources that will help you get to almost zero paper in no time. What strategies do you use to save paper?

• 1. Swap your print catalogs for digital catalogs via Catalog Spree
• 2. Stop unwanted paper mail via PaperKarma
• 3. Read your magazines on apps like Zinio
• 4. Read your newspapers on your iPad with apps like Flipboard
• 5. Subscribe to e-statements from your banking and financial institutions

#EarthDay Insights: 13 Ways to Make Your Food More Eco

Maybe you already eat organic produce. You've cut down on meat. You grow your own lettuce. That's  great! But Earth Day is nothing if not a time to consider...what else can we do, especially when it comes to the food we buy and eat?

 Danielle Nierenberg of The Food Tank suggests 13 important ways we can reduce the environmental impact of growing, processing, marketing, and disposing of our food. Take a look at the list. I hope you'll add your own recommendations!

1) Eat more colors
The colors of fruits and vegetables are signs of nutritional content. The American Cancer Society reports that richly colored veggies like tomatoes can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Eggs that have brightly orange-colored yolks are also high in cancer-fighting carotenoids, and are more likely to be produced by healthier chickens.
 
 2) Buy food with less packaging
Discarded packaging makes up around one-third of all waste in industrialized countries,  impacting the climate, and our air and water quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s analysis of different packaging for tomatoes found that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) clamshell packaging increases tomatoes’ associated carbon emissions by 10 percent. What's better? Choose foods you can buy in bulk, and bring your own bags - even to the produce aisle.
 
3) Choose seasonal produce
Many farmers markets, including the New York City Greenmarkets, offer guides about which products are in season. Locally sourced, seasonal products can also be found at major grocery stores. Or sign up for a weekly CSA, which provides a mix of fresh, seasonal produce throughout the year. Other programs, such as Siren Fish Co.’s SeaSA in San Francisco, offer seasonal meats and seafood.